HIGHLIGHTS
- Sanderson criticizes Merilainen’s performance in 6-5 OT loss to Canadiens
- Rookie goalie stopped just 10 of 19 shots for .526 save percentage
- Read below for full Senators post-game quotes and video
Jake Sanderson isn’t sugarcoating Ottawa’s goaltending problems.
The Senators defenseman ripped rookie Leevi Merilainen after Saturday’s 6-5 overtime loss to Montreal.
“I think Leevi made some good saves,” Sanderson said. “But I think, at the end of the day, you’ve got to make more than 10 saves to win a game.”
Check out Sanderson’s post-game video below:
Merilainen gave up six goals on just 19 shots. Ottawa blew a two-goal lead in the third period before Cole Caufield ended it in overtime.
Head coach Travis Green didn’t hold back on his young goalie either.
“It’s hard to give him a pass,” Green said. “I’m sure he’d like to have one or two back. I feel bad for him.”
Sanderson’s been one of Ottawa’s best players this season with 35 points in 46 games while logging over 25 minutes a night.
Tim Stutzle pushed back on the criticism and said the team needs to play better in front of Merilainen.
“I don’t know why we’re talking about this,” Stutzle said. “Leevi’s been playing great. He’s been playing a lot of hockey. It’s always every time somebody scores, everybody blames the goalie. But we have his back.”
Ottawa’s goaltending has been rough all season. The Senators rank near the bottom of the league with a team .868 save percentage. Linus Ullmark hasn’t played since late December due to personal reasons, though Green said he’ll travel to Detroit for Sunday’s game.
Merilainen entered Saturday with an .860 save percentage in 20 appearances. The Senators recently signed veteran James Reimer to add depth.
At 22-19-5, Ottawa is currently sitting eighth in the Atlantic Division. Sanderson calling out teammates publicly is rare, but the goaltending has been that bad. The Sens need more saves if they want any shot at the playoffs.
